I understand. We live in the woods on a small farm, both retired USN, and we didn't have to experience the viciousness that those still employed or with school-age children endured. We were also able to take care of my elderly mother at our home. But I will never forgive the scolding, the unhinged fear that turned "normal" people into Stasi, the crushing of K-12, treading across the backs of children to placate the hysterical adults, seeing the stories of elderly dying isolated. I also won't forget.
I was a Big Sister to a little (the organization) and her mother was cancer free for 5 years before Covid hit. I don't know how many jabs she had but I do know her cancer came back with a vengeance and killed her in 2023 when my little was 16 and her brother 13, both with a largely absent dad.
I'm sorry you lost Lizzy. I'm sorry you lost your church. As you wrote: irretrievable.
Your mother's denomination fared best in response to the authoritarianism that most mainline churches bowed to. Stats say that globally ~44% of Orthodox parishes remained wholly open as compared to 12% of non-Orthodox.
Most telling.
Thank you for sharing your story, your pain, your disappointment. Again, I'm so sorry for the losses inflicted on you.
I play guitar for the worship band at my church and could not stand the two hours of wearing a mask during those dark times for rehearsal/service. It really made my heart hurt for my kids who were being asked to wear a mask for their entire school day. At least we were able to stay open by holding service in the parking lot outside which was interesting but we made it work.
I understand. We live in the woods on a small farm, both retired USN, and we didn't have to experience the viciousness that those still employed or with school-age children endured. We were also able to take care of my elderly mother at our home. But I will never forgive the scolding, the unhinged fear that turned "normal" people into Stasi, the crushing of K-12, treading across the backs of children to placate the hysterical adults, seeing the stories of elderly dying isolated. I also won't forget.
I was a Big Sister to a little (the organization) and her mother was cancer free for 5 years before Covid hit. I don't know how many jabs she had but I do know her cancer came back with a vengeance and killed her in 2023 when my little was 16 and her brother 13, both with a largely absent dad.
I'm sorry you lost Lizzy. I'm sorry you lost your church. As you wrote: irretrievable.
Your mother's denomination fared best in response to the authoritarianism that most mainline churches bowed to. Stats say that globally ~44% of Orthodox parishes remained wholly open as compared to 12% of non-Orthodox.
Most telling.
Thank you for sharing your story, your pain, your disappointment. Again, I'm so sorry for the losses inflicted on you.
To some people, conformism is the highest goal. It is their god.
It's security to their minds. Someone - something- takes care of them.
I play guitar for the worship band at my church and could not stand the two hours of wearing a mask during those dark times for rehearsal/service. It really made my heart hurt for my kids who were being asked to wear a mask for their entire school day. At least we were able to stay open by holding service in the parking lot outside which was interesting but we made it work.